Saint Mary’s College will welcome the class of 2029 throughout this weekend with 497 students enrolled out of 1,928 accepted. That is the largest number of freshmen at the College since 2007 and a significant increase from the 406 freshmen enrolled last year.
Within the class of 2029, 68 students were enrolled early decision. 21 are transfers from 19 different colleges and universities; 38% of transfers are from Indiana and 62% are from out of state.
Two international students joined the incoming class, which is a smaller pool compared to previous years according to Sarah Gallagher Dvorak, dean of enrollment management and marketing. 35 states and territories are represented for the class of 2029.
The average GPA for the class is 3.9. 63% of the incoming class held a leadership position in high school and three-quarters of the class participated in community service.
In an email, Gallagher Dvorak discussed noteworthy accomplishments of the incoming class.
“We have a published author, many entrepreneurs with incredible hearts who founded their own non-profit organizations, many students leading their own women's empowerment clubs or programming at their schools and in their communities, many students doing important research throughout the country and around the world. They're made up of thespians, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, performers, and leaders who are making a difference in their communities,” she wrote.
She added that this year’s freshmen are similarly diverse to last year’s and mentioned a slight increase in the number of first-generation students students, up to 31%.
Nursing science is the most popular major for the class, followed by biology.
“Our direct entry into the nursing major, coupled with our state-of-the-art Center for Integrated Healthcare Education, continues to attract prospective nursing students from all over the country, and our focus on developing women in STEM, opportunities for undergraduate research, and solid outcomes have helped to build our reputation in our STEM fields, including biology,” Gallagher Dvorak wrote.
Recent strategies Saint Mary’s has employed to increase its appeal to prospective students include the launch of the Avenue Experience to help students build a professional career with proper support, strengthening research programs, increasing bachelor’s to master’s degree program opportunities and establishing stronger relationships between students and alumnae through the online platform, The Bridge.
Last year, issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) caused disruption for students attempting to apply to college. This year, many of those issues have been fixed.
“It was a much smoother year than '23-'24 which certainly helped make students and families feel more comfortable. Many more students were able to submit their FAFSAs, get their questions answered, and receive aid packages,” Gallagher Dvorak wrote.
This year, some returning students have expressed concern over the potential for over enrollment within the incoming class. Gallagher Dvorak said that the College has prepared for the larger number of students.
“Our strategic plan calls for increased enrollment growth and we're incredibly excited that Saint Mary's has become an even more attractive destination to students from all over the country. We've staffed up in some areas, added additional parking spaces, made other updates where appropriate, and have had a team of professionals meeting all summer to ensure we're ready to serve this large Class,” she wrote.
Dvorak said that the incoming class represents an exciting period for Saint Mary’s and demonstrates the work the College has been doing to increase their enrollment.
“It's been years since we've welcomed a first-year class of this size. It speaks to the incredible work the College has been doing to provide the diverse experiences, prestigious academics, personal attention, exceptional programming and impressive outcomes that students and families are seeking today,” Gallagher Dvorak wrote.
